A Decent Cup of Tea ?

[cabo_sailor]

Originally Posted by sarafina

Well, the general opinion of many tea drinkers is that bagged tea is a last ditch option...

I carry a few bags in my wallet (constant comment) so when stuck somewhere they think Liptons is actually tea, not sawdust and floor sweepings, I can brew a cup that I can actually drink.

Orange pekoe like most other traditional blends, earl grey, jasmine, english breakfast, is just a matter of taste. I quite like some orange pekoes and love many earl greys (but not all).

Get what ya like... and if you haven't tried loose leaf tea; live life large and give it a whirl!

Just remember to brew it strong!

I do like Earl Grey, English Breakfast, and Darjeeling. When traveling I carry a variety of the above. I also agree that the "stuff" in restaurants would not be used even in a marinade. That said, I've never made a cupa from loose leaf. For a neophyte, how does one brew say a 12 oz mug? I have tea balls that I use for spices in soups and stews but perhaps that's not the way to go? Apologies if this is construed as hijacking the thread..

As to the coffee, I prefer French Press and based upon years as a field geologist "if you can't float a pocket knife on it, it's too weak". I like my tea strong as well.

Rich

[sarafina]

French press works fine for tea as well, I have a small one I brew mine in for decanting to a thermos when I want to take it with me.

Best is on a tea pot of course, lots of room for the leaves to uncurl.

I often make it by just spooning the loose tea into the pot and letting it steep to my preference. For that I use one of these as I pour into the cup



For some teas (admittedly more often herbal tissanes) I use this

Works in a mug or a pot.

You do not want to use one of the little ones that leave no room for the leaves to expand.

This is a dangerous topic... could be as bad as an anchor thread!

Folks are opinionated about how they like their cuppa!

[redcobra]

Originally Posted by Bloodhound

Probably not. Pouring it over ice ruins tea in several ways, including by weakening it. "Proper" tea is hot and frankly, hot tea on a hot day is very refreshing, believe it or not. Icing tea is like adding coke to scotch.

Brew it strong, put it in a sealed jug and suspend it over the side till it cools. Forget the ice and drink at room temp or just below. I make a gallon at a time that way then sweeten.....Ah cool sweet tea.

[DaveOnCudjoe]

I switched from espresso to loose leaf tea a few years ago. Tried many from Davidsons on Amazon.com and in the end went back to Lipton OP, 3 lbs for $25. I brew in the mug using a MSR mug mate, 2 tsptea and 2 cups boiling water steep for 4 min. I'm not a fussy guy, may be why I'm single. Dave

[Bloodhound]

Loose tea leaves are usually brewed in a teapot and if a few get into your cup you can have some fun with a pretty maid reading the leaves. Did it many years ago with my now wife (see how dangerous it is?) in a small restaurant in a Queensland country town. The bloke at the next table was laughing hs backside off at the sight! But if you want to enjoy the true flavour of tea, drink it hot and strong. Some like it with milk but for my money, black and sweet will do --- soooo much better than coffee IMHO. No need for tea balls, French presses or other fancy gear, just a Brown Betty.

[mjwarner]

Ahh, RedCobra, I like how you think!

[cheoah]

Bloodhound, where I live in NC, many cafe's bring you sweet tea automatically. Or they say, "sweet tea, hun?", giving you the illusion of choice. It's the official lunchtime drink for sure, I like it well enough with lots of lemon and sometimes mixed with the unsweetened. Southern moms keep it handy in the house, made from ginormous bags from Lipton Tea.

In my town, we have an entire store devoted to tea. A friend brought some to breakfast once, had names like gunpowder, jasmins, and even a chocolate one that was nasty. Anyway, fun stuff if you like tea. All tea gets me jacked so like all caffeine I have to watch it.

Good luck with tea hunting-

csh

[sarafina]

ewww. sweet tea.

that's an abomination round my parts!

But we do like our Arnold Palmers on a hot day ; -)

[avb3]

First time I was introduced to the concept of "afternoon tea" was in Antigua. I was also used to only "Red Rose" tea here in Canada, and they used "Yellow Rose" tea, which I really liked.

Was pleasantly surprised that Yellow Rose is now sold in Canada, and it reminds me of Antigua every time I have it.

BTW, this was a famous Red Rose commercial that was quiet popular for months, if not years.

YouTube - ‪Red Rose Tea 1989‬‏

[Pete7]

OMG, they are drinking tea in the US, there is hope for us all yet

Before ordering Yorkshire Tea do check the water hardness because they have different types of tea depending if you have hard or soft water.

Pete

[itdave5]

Try some lapsang souchong. Nice and hot with or without milk ad suger.
Make sure you let it brew up for a while so it's nice and strong.

[Deck Scrubber]

oh...well I'm a coffee girl through and through but I do like mint and ginger green tea...so I guess I'm no help at all.

[goboatingnow]

a good strong breakfast tea, served black and no sugar, heaven

Iced tea is an abomination I tell you an abomination, you will burn in the firey pits of ....... its like blackcurrant juice in Guiness!!! ( I shouldnt even say teh words)

Dave

[Seadogg]

We are "tea freaks", as well! Like all sorts (earl greys, ginger, Darjeeling, etc.) but also am quite fond of rooibos root tea 'specially when I DON'T want the caffeine kick.

Oh, yeah, I'm a heathen; I don't think I've ever run into a situation where I didn't like a tea I had brewed and then poured over ice. Just keep in mind, iced tea is ICED TEA and shouldn't be confused with regular hot tea.

Cheers!

[PaulM]

I'm a transplanted Brit. My Mum was alway complaining about being unable to get a proper cup of tea in Texas. To make a proper pot of tea you need:

Good loose black tea
A proper tea pot (Brown Betty, the swirling of the tea leaves makes a difference)
Add Boiling water and steep for 5 min.


Paul